In 2001, Fred Hickman was the lone holdout in 2001, preventing the Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal from becoming the first unanimous MVP winner. Hickman voted for Philadelphia's Allen Iverson.

Washburn spoke Monday about why he voted for Anthony.

"I just honestly felt that Carmelo Anthony lifted the Knicks to new heights this season – a No. 2 seed and their first division title in 19 years – with an aging roster, the team's second-best player [Amar'e Stoudemire] out most of the season and a myriad of other injuries," Washburn told Yahoo! Sports.

"LeBron James is unquestionably the best player in the league, but I felt this season Anthony had more value to his team."